Japan orders navy ships home from Afghan mission
Japan ordered its naval ships to withdraw from a mission backing U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan as a deadline to extend the activities was set to expire on Thursday. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has been struggling against a resurgent opposition to enact a new bill to allow Japan’s navy to keep providing free fuel for U.S. and other ships patrolling the Indian Ocean, a mission seen as vital by close ally Washington. Full Story